Ice Cream and Horses.

Yesterday we went out to eat with my Mom and Jack in downtown Rockford.  The kids had so much fun.  We ended up having ice cream after dinner, and walked around the dam.  Leah needed to have pink cotton candy custard, and Brayden had vanilla.  It was so cute to watch Brayden's face when he licked the cone.  It was so cold and almost every lick he had a shocked look on his face.  As we ate our ice cream we watched the salmon jump up the dam ladder and ran around with the kids.  Brayden is finally getting to the point where he enjoys holding our hand, which is so nice!  He always refused to hold our hand, so it's really convenient to not have to hold him.  The kids were exhausted and fell right to sleep once we got home.

Today was a huge day.  I have been looking forward to today since I found out we were moving here.  My amazing Aunt Cheryl was going to be visiting from WI, and she was bringing someone very special with her... Izzie.  Izzie is a 13 year old gorgeous horse.  I've known Izzie since she was a goofy baby horse.  My Aunt Cheryl got me into horses, and my love for them hasn't ever faded.  It's been over 4 years since I've sat on a horse, and today was a special treat for me.  Leah was able to take her very first ride today with Papa by her side, and I have to be honest and say I almost had tears in my eyes.  Seeing my little girl enjoying something I have so much passion for made me so proud.

Getting on Izzie and riding around the arena was amazing.  I have missed it so much.  I could have ridden her all day.  Leah went crazy and loved petting, feeding, riding, and kissing Izzie.  She was so confident, but cautious at the same time.  She walked Izzie too.. Seeing my 29lb 3 year old walking a huge animal with such confidence was so great.  Leah loved it just as much as I did.  My cousins, Tami and Amy, and most of their kids, were there as well.  It was so great seeing them again.  Leah immediately was drawn to Taylor, Tami's oldest daughter.  Funny thing is, I used to babysit Taylor when she was teeny tiny.  Leah couldn't remember Taylor's name, so she kept calling her the "orange one" since Taylor had an orange sweatshirt on.  It was so funny and cute.  Since coming home (and falling asleep on the way) she cannot stop talking about Taylor and how she wants to see her tomorrow. 

I look forward to the day when we have enough land to have a couple or horses, because I know my kids will love it just as much as I do.

Enjoy the pictures!